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Tomi Kovacevic



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    EP1.16 - Treatment in the Real World - Support, Survivorship, Systems Research (ID 206)

    • Event: WCLC 2019
    • Type: E-Poster Viewing in the Exhibit Hall
    • Track: Treatment in the Real World - Support, Survivorship, Systems Research
    • Presentations: 1
    • Now Available
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 9/08/2019, 08:00 - 18:00, Exhibit Hall
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      EP1.16-40 - Communicating with Lung Cancer Patients in Eastern European Country: Topics of Interest (Now Available) (ID 1898)

      08:00 - 18:00  |  Presenting Author(s): Tomi Kovacevic

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background

      Sincere and open communication about comprehensive lung cancer (LC) care is often avoided both by physicians and patients. Knowing the patients’ points of interest is of great importance for better provision of treatment and further planning of care. Aim of this pilot study was to assess the importance of selected topics for LC patients in order to provide a pathway for improvement of communication with patients.

      Method

      This prospective pilot study was conducted at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Serbia within a one Month period. Consecutive patients with advanced lung cancer in ECOG performance status 0-1 were included in this study regardless of lung cancer type and therapy regimen. Patients filled a questionnaire with 50 selected topics of interest and grading them based on importance using a on 5 point Likert scale. Topics were divided into following sections: diagnosis and prognosis, therapeutic options, care, rehabilitation, supportive and palliative care, psycho-oncology and spirituality. In the last question patients were asked to decide on length or quality of life (QoL).

      Result

      The total number of subjects included in this prospective study was 78. Out of total, 66.7% were male and 33.3% female. Average age of subjects was 64 (46-78). Section with topics about diagnosis and prognosis was rated with highest and the one about supportive and palliative care with lowest scores. We observed that topics of highest interest were the goal of therapy, effects of therapy and whether the cancer is curable. Among others most subjects in this study were willing to know more about duration of life when on therapy, how therapy will be applied and should they (and how) change life habits. Least important topics were ones about influence of therapy on sexual life, supportive and palliative care and accommodation in the nursing homes and palliative care units. Out of total, 53.8% of subjects chose quality over duration of life, 15.4% gave priority to life length and the rest (30.8%) could not decide. There were no differences between gender and age.

      Conclusion

      Advance communication skills should be equal with other (technical) medical skills. Comprehensive cancer care of LC patients starting from the diagnosis, promoting supportive and palliative care through open communication should be of great importance for all involved parties: patients and their family members and medical staff. Acknowledging important topics and introducing topics of interests for advanced cancer care planning can improve the QoL of LC patients.

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